Big rig driver charged for shooting at cops

September 1, 2009 12:51:56 PM PDT

OAKLAND, CA --

A big-rig driver was charged today with multiple counts of attempted murder for allegedly shooting at two Oakland police officers early Sunday morning, Alameda County Assistant District Attorney Tom Rogers said.

Rogers said he charged 41-year-old Colin Todd of Alameda with two counts of attempted murder on a police officer as well as two counts of willful and premeditated attempted murder.

Todd was arrested Sunday morning after a traffic stop, a chase and a seven-hour manhunt through the Fruitvale District in Oakland.

Rogers said he filed the four counts against Todd under different theories but that if the case goes to trial Todd could still be convicted of all four counts as long as jurors believe the shootings were deliberate.

Todd would face life in prison without the possibility of parole if he's convicted of any of the charges, Rogers said.

He said Todd has also been charged with enhancements for allegedly using a gun and causing great bodily injury to one of the officers.

Oakland police spokesman Jeff Thomason said the incident began at about 3:45 a.m. Sunday when two officers noticed a flatbed big-rig truck being driven erratically in the 1100 block of 66th Avenue.

Thomason said the officers activated their lights and sirens but that the driver of the big-rig didn't immediately pull over so the officers followed the it until it stopped on an on-ramp to northbound Interstate Highway 880 just south of Coliseum Way.

Todd then allegedly exited the big-rig and began firing at the two officers. One of the officers returned fire and the other was struck in the foot by a bullet, according to Thomason. That officer was treated at a hospital and released.

After allegedly shooting at the officers, Todd got back into the big-rig and drove north on Highway 880, Thomason said. Other officers pursued Todd because the first officers' vehicle was riddled with bullet holes and wasn't working, Thomason said.

The pursuit ended on Interstate Highway 880 near the 3700 block of East Ninth Street when the big-rig drove into a guardrail and overturned. Todd then allegedly ran from the big-rig and managed to hide from authorities until just before 11:30 a.m., when he was arrested, Thomason said.

He said Todd was not hit by gunfire and did not need to be hospitalized.

Rogers said Todd is scheduled to be arraigned at 2 p.m. today at the Wiley Manuel Courthouse in Oakland.